Up to 1,000 foreign GPs could be lost to the NHS because the Home Office is threatening to force them out of Britain.
New recruits have been sent letters warning of their “removal” just weeks after completing training.
Complex immigration rules mean skilled workers can only apply for a permanent visa after five years.
But GPs usually complete training in three years – leaving a two-year gap during which they must secure sponsorship if they want to stay in the UK.
Health Education England fears 1,000 temporary visas will expire by March 2023.
Dr Pushpo Hossain, 32, said: “These are tax-paying qualified GPs who were trained using taxpayer money and are so vital for the NHS.
“GPs are being blamed for A&E departments being overwhelmed.
The UK needs these overseas GPs – and more – to combat the current crisis.”
The Royal College of General Practitioners said some foreign trainees were “literally going from celebrating that they’ve become a GP to receiving letters threatening deportation”.
The Doctors’ Association UK said it was “utterly appalled”.
Co-chair Dr Ellen Welch said: “We desperately need these doctors. If the Government is serious about bolstering the workforce they need to ensure they are granted indefinite leave to remain to use their skills within our crumbling health service.”
The NHS in England has lost the equivalent of 2,000 GPs since 2015.
This month, the Doctors in Unite union claimed the UK as a whole is short of 20,000 GPs.
The Government aims to limit the shortfall to 6,000 by 2024 but admits it is not on target.
The Home Office last night accused GPs’ representatives of “needless scaremongering”.
It said trainees can stay if they are sponsored by a GP practice under a licensed scheme geared towards securing a permanent visa.
But not all surgeries are licensed.
A spokesman said: “Workers from overseas make an invaluable contribution to our NHS, helping to keep vital services running and save lives.
“Trainee GPs may use time between the end of training and the end of their visa to look and apply for work.”
